Kyle Larson is set to return to Chicagoland Speedway on July 5, a track that holds a special memory for him.
What happened at Chicagoland in 2018?
He and Kyle Busch put on one of the best final laps in years on July 1, 2018. Busch led the final 59 laps but Larson threw a slide job into Turn 1, taking the lead.
Busch then pinned the throttle, drove into the back of Larson's car, and spun him sideways, winning by 0.256 seconds.
Kyle Larson's respect for Kyle Busch
Larson said losing that race was the right outcome, as it earned him respect from Busch. He felt Busch gained a ton of respect for him after that race.
Larson respected Busch, saying he always pushed him to be better.
Kyle Larson's attempt to break a drought
Larson has not won a Cup race in 42 starts, with his last win at Kansas on May 2025. He draws his teammate William Byron in Round 2 of NASCAR's In-Season Challenge.
The winner of the tournament will receive $1 million.
Larson has a good reason to feel comfortable at Chicagoland, with the best average finish among active drivers at 6.17.
He also ran Goodyear's two-day tire test at the track in April, with his teammates using his setup notes.
The track is rough, with old and heavily bumped asphalt, especially through Turns 3 and 4.
Crew chief Cliff Daniels made adjustments to the car to give it room to clear the worst sections.
The biggest threat for Larson is Denny Hamlin, who also ran the tire test.
Larson's goal is to win the tournament and break his drought.
He will face a tough challenge, but his experience and recent test at the track make him a strong contender